SnapChat: Jack Tame

Jack Tame hosts Breakfast, which turns 21 this week.

My first job was … As a 12-year-old I got a paper round delivering the Christchurch Star. Dad made me carry the newspapers in his 1970s tramping pack, but sometimes the neighbours would drive past and take pity on me, and drop off a few depots along my route. I did my round until I finished school.

It taught me … humility. Paperboys with old tramping packs don't pull many chicks. But you do learn what houses are good for a few treats or a wee bonus at Christmas! Also, my parents used the round to teach me basic budgeting skills – I had to save 65 per cent of what I earned and run a balance book. I used my savings to go to South America as a 16-year-old.

My big break came … I was 19 and reading the news on CTV as part of a project at university. One of my tutors, Steve Bloxham, was a highly respected news producer at TVNZ and had apparently recommended me to his colleagues. I got a phone call from a random number asking me to come into TVNZ for an interview, and a day or two later I was offered a job. I worked as a Breakfast reporter before university every day, and slowly worked through the ranks. I'm extremely fortunate to have had people like Steve support me throughout my career.

The last job I quit was … I was a DJ at weddings and 21st birthdays. It might have been the most fun job I ever had. I was basically paid to party at the weekend. I'd squeeze the equipment into my Honda City and drive around Canterbury and I now know the lyrics to pretty much every top 40 track from the last 30 years.

The most famous person I've ever met is … I'm not sure if he'd be the most famous, but I was hugely fortunate to have a bit of time with Sir David Attenborough in Antarctica. It was late afternoon and we set up an interview in Scott Base with a view across the sea ice. Sir David brought a bottle of red wine and we sat down and talked about climate change, theology, and film-making. It was surreal.

He was ... fantastic. Everything you'd hope for. He came for a visit to Scott Base and was holding court in the base bar, but I didn't know if he would do an interview. I delicately approached his producer, cap-in-hand, and asked if Sir David might have a couple of minutes for TVNZ.

"Probably… just ask him!" said the producer.

Sir David didn't hesitate. He was humble, thoughtful, and funny.

The best time I've had on the job was … covering the legalisation of recreational cannabis in Colorado. Ten thousand people gathered in central Denver and all lit up at once. I think half the city had a contact high.

But the worst was … covering the Sandy Hook massacre. I spent five years in the US as a correspondent and covered my share of mass shootings, but Sandy Hook was especially difficult. I was working alone and it was the middle of winter. The community was devastated.

My dream project would be … interviewing interesting people in interesting places, while eating interesting things.

• Jack Tame hosts TVNZ's Breakfast, which turns 21 this week. Screening weekdays from 6am on TVNZ1.